MADBURY — Tomie dePaola’s “The Night of Las Posadas” in new musical adaptation is coming to the Union Congregational Church of Madbury, Saturday, Dec. 1, with two performances.

First published in 1999 this award winning book written and illustrated by New London’s Tomie dePaola is a tradition in itself and has become an international phenomenon.

Las Posadas (Spanish for “the inn”) is a traditional Spanish festival which is popular in Mexico and the American Southwest. The festival re-enacts Joseph’s search for a room at the inn. Each Christmas season a processional with actors playing Joseph and Mary walks through community streets. The processional stops at a variety of buildings and is turned away by the devils inside. Finally a church/community center invites them in to sing Christmas carols called villancicos.

Tomie’s publisher gave New Hampshire artists, William Ogmundson (composer and lyricist from North Sutton) and Tom Dunn (librettist from Henniker), rare permission to adapt this work into a one act musical theatre piece that will be performed by four professional singers as well as membersof the choir and audience. Tom and Will have collaborated on a number of musical theatre works over the last several years and they’ll be working with singers Linny Kenney of Bath, Cindy Johnson of Sutton, Fred Sprague of Hillsboro and Scott Sweatt of Errol to bring this work to life. Technical aspects highlight the gifts of videographer, Bob Robertson of Dartmouth, costumers Babette Haley and Susie White of Hillsboro, and wood carver Michael Martineau of Chichester.

Tomie dePaola, (author) (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) is best known for his books for children. Published for over 40 years, he has written and/or illustrated nearly 350 books, including Strega Nona, 26 Fairmount Avenue, The Art Lesson, and The Night of Las Posadas. Over 15 million copies of his books have sold worldwide. Let the Whole Earth and Sing Praise Strega Nona’s Gift are his newest books.

Tom Dunn, (librettist) is Artistic Director of The Alchemists’ Workshop, a 14 year old 501c3 theatre organization dedicated to building communities through the development of original works of musical theatre. Tom founded and ran The Playwrights’ Center of Minnesota and Theatre of the First Amendment in D.C., and he also has been Artistic Director of New Dramatists in NYC, Kenyon Festival Theatre in Ohio and New Tradition Theatre in Minnesota. Tom has written 50 produced plays and librettos and has also published four books.

William Ogmundson, (composer and lyricist) is a classically-trained pianist and accomplished composer. He wrote the music for the past six productions of the NorthEast Shakespeare Ensemble, and was commissioned to write a piece for Plymouth State University’s 200th Anniversary celebration. William’s compositions include the musical “Pollyanna,” written with Trish Lindberg and published by Dramatic Publishing in 2011, and “Benny Pierce: A Ghost Story,” with Tom Dunn. His work with Trish Lindberg on “TIGER” was broadcast on NHPTV this Fall, and he wrote the music for “Marking the Moment” (also with Trish Lindberg) which will be premiered in January at Plymouth State University. Many of William’s original compositions are included on his five CD’s. www.williamogmundson.com

The Alchemists’ Workshop is in its 14th year presenting musical theatre workshops and was awarded the 2010 Aurand Harris award by The Children; s Theatre Foundation of America for best small theatre and has awards from Youth Serves America, Hasbro’s United Healthy Heroes and The Point of Life Foundation. www.alchemistsworkshop.org)

Two performances are on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Union Congregational Church, 20 Town Hall Road, Madbury. Seating is limited to 70 by general admission. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance times. Recommended for ages four through adult. One hour with no intermission.

Tickets are $5 each for adults and children.

For mail orders, please indicate 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. show, number of tickets at $5.00 each, and home or cell phone. Enclose a check made payable to Union Church. with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Mail to Union Congregational Church, 20 Town Hall Road, Madbury, NH 03823. Mail orders received after Thanksgiving can be picked up on Dec. 1 at the door from 10 a.m. until one hour prior to show time.

For phone reservations, call 603-742-9380 to leave your request on the answering machine. Indicate 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. show, number of tickets @ $5.00 each and YOUR home or cell phone for confirmation reply message from us. Phone orders can be picked up at the church on Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. until one hour prior to show time. All tickets not picked up one hour prior to show time will be released for sale to a wait list.